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Ireland gets Moving: Ministers join Sport Ireland to launch #BeActive European Week of Sport 2026
16 Sep 2026
Fachtna Kelly
International
Today Sport Ireland launches European Week of Sport 2026 with Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport Patrick O'Donovan TD and Minister of State with special responsibility for Sport and Postal Policy Charlie McConalogue TD, inviting people across the country to get active during September 23-30 by signing up to activities using the new map finder on the Sport Ireland website（https://eur03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fr.email.brevo.mediahq.com%2Ftr%2Fcl%2FddWlr3rLT3GJQOhfYiFyZJnDXVJvK0eYx745MkktS9Ddu8Zcyluq9-v0B0sAeCEKSngqH6gNgqKMMHbOXLgJZUqSpOwAT3S3YIS-fF_noQIYfMG_vVz7_-YrBK_25wx5Id8uUVs6FVY6qBnT6IQFEwDh8Mgt901FZtiqDU553aDDeI40ZJKmwVZeS4Pgt-jxoCqxkUHjuw3aSKbWA0fbpj6qrBWs9hsc2SlI0C6KjUTgcl6GvDo6kJbJptTIyWeQ02NSYmCT71nWVsNDxSo7OoyPmuOEp_wFdymEUhlqGfoKSVBvLrg&data=05%7C02%7C%7Cbc99db677748419cc72b08df13d0e6d7%7C9d8ad7f7295f41c6b7d777af2ad17cd5%7C0%7C0%7C639251460450156516%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=ljci%2FDETwtQWMIq8NuYagiex%2F8WjSOEzfPjQuetTUjE%3D&reserved=0）. This year's campaign, “#BeActive. Your Way”, carries added significance as Ireland holds the Presidency of the Council of the European Union for the second half of 2026.
Led by the European Commission, European Week of Sport aims to increase participation in physical activity across the EU, tackling inactivity and promoting healthier, more active lifestyles. Since it launched in 2015 it has inspired tens of millions of people across the EU to experience the physical, mental, and social benefits of sport and physical activity.
Members of the public can now search an interactive map of more than 500 events across the country, in every county. Eligible organisers can register their own event（https://eur03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fr.email.brevo.mediahq.com%2Ftr%2Fcl%2F2fp1z6URN9IpkD0m0YFDtz-9uPmmpp2DJrbmzHp0Q5TYH8uqkIhBhvyvV6k1GvUqW1nrSLqR3C7wshRupNvv2p42rc8YTrQa9qPSh5OhZCouJRG_Pu1ONMesnLKVbg6k_Qirx70bSYfRM4CZN1JCaT19RNV7i0lhqDU7qDKw7Wu5kdsQ6zlv42fCWoZa4UR_TqpnMDxL485ihPtaDNdm_j1ApElXvgpZFYu8isXHuhfWEfUFjqP0IcFrgSfGZbnzdlyesAE4bRquneHMN0QqNYhfnckTNVxZ_fSZ46ny--yH8yw2YRc&data=05%7C02%7C%7Cbc99db677748419cc72b08df13d0e6d7%7C9d8ad7f7295f41c6b7d777af2ad17cd5%7C0%7C0%7C639251460450189909%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=6WSCZWN9mzWu44AhA%2Fa39L9lacFnbZpTE5o5lUBEjME%3D&reserved=0） for free on the Sport Ireland website. A new self-service registration form built for Local Sports Partnerships, National Governing Bodies, clubs and community groups, is designed to make it as easy as possible for people to find something to get involved in close to home.
Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport Patrick O'Donovan TD said: “European Week of Sport comes at a special moment for Ireland this year, as we hold the Presidency of the Council of the European Union. It's a chance to show, in a very practical way, what an active and connected Europe looks like. I'd encourage everyone, whatever their age or level of fitness, to find an event near them and get involved.”
The campaign places a particular focus on young people aged 16 to 26, alongside dedicated strands for schools, workplaces, older adults, women and girls, adaptive and inclusive sport, and migrants and new communities. Most registered events are taking place between September 23-30, though a few events take place outside of the window such as Canoeing Ireland's youth event on September 19th.
Minister of State with special responsibility for Sport and Postal Policy Charlie McConalogue TD said: “Sport has the power to bring communities together, improve our physical and mental health, and build a real sense of belonging. European Week of Sport, and the National Sports Policy that underpins our work all year round, are about making sure that everyone in Ireland, no matter their background or ability, has the chance to be active.”
Alongside a packed programme of local events, nine flagship events taking place at night, will take place across Ireland. On Saturday, September 26th, #BeActive Night brings free, inclusive evening activity to communities nationwide, delivered by Ireland's eight Active Cities - Galway, Waterford, Cork, Limerick, Dublin City, Fingal, South Dublin and Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown - together with Donegal Local Sports Partnership.
Additionally, Sport Ireland National Indoor Arena hosts a week-long #BeActive Open Week from September 23rd-30th, opening its world-class facilities to the local community for free, beginner-friendly sessions ranging from fitness classes to scuba diving, gymnastics, archery, and pan-disability sport.
The Irish Primary PE Association's European School Sports Day sees more than 400 schools nationwide commit to 120 minutes of activity on Friday, September 25th, while GAA Healthy Clubs opens clubhouses nationwide on Saturday, September 26th for Inclusion Day welcoming schools, disability organisations, and community groups.
Dr Úna May, Chief Executive of Sport Ireland, said: “We know from every year we run this campaign that there is a huge appetite across Ireland to get out and get active together.